Page 250 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Ireland

248 BACK ROADS IRELAND

VISITING STRANGFORD LOUGH
Tourist Information
Portaferry: The Stables, Castle Street,
BT22 1NZ; 028 4272 9882; www.
visitardsandnorthdown.com; open
Easter–end Sep
Boat Trips
From Portaferry to Strangford, ferries
run at quarter past and quarter to the
hour. Boat trips on the lough from
Portaferry can be arranged through
Ards Boat Tours, 028 9182 6846
WALKING IN THE MOUNTAINS
OF MOURNE Above Kilkeel Harbour, a major fishing port Above right Gothic arches of Cistercian Grey Abbey, founded in 1193
Route cards with ten Mourne 4 Greyabbey 6 Castle Ward
Mountains walks can be bought from Co Down Strangford, Downpatrick,
Mourne Heritage Trust, 87 Central The attractive village of Greyabbey BT30 7LS; Co Down
Promenade, Newcastle; 028 4372 4059;
www.mournelive.com. Guided walks takes its name from Grey Abbey, a The Strangford Lough Wildlife
are also available (028 4372 5143; Cistercian abbey founded in 1193. Information Centre (028 4488 1411) is
www.walksinthemournes.co.uk). The remains of its Gothic buttresses actually in the grounds of this stately
and arches nestle in parkland on the home (grounds open daily; house
north of the village. A museum in Jul–Aug: daily pm only; other times:
the gatehouse documents its history. weekends only; closed Nov–mid-Feb).
ª Return to the A20 and drive south Built in the1760s, it famously
to Portaferry, following the signs to combines two contrary architectural
WHERE TO STAY
the Strangford Ferry (see left). styles. The front of the house is Neo-
STRANGFORD LOUGH Classical, while the rear, overlooking
The Cuan Inn inexpensive 5 Strangford Lough Strangford Lough, is Neo-Gothic.
This small, friendly family-run hotel in Strangford, Downpatrick, Inside, the decor is similarly mixed.
Strangford village has an intimate feel. BT30 7LS; Co Down An extensive walled area surrounds
The Square, Strangford, BT30 7ND; 028 This Area of Outstanding Natural the house, with woodland trails and
4488 1222; www.thecuan.com Beauty forms the UK’s largest sea lovely views of the lough.
DOWNPATRICK inlet and is rich in wildlife. It is almost ª Turn right, taking the A25 to
The Mill at Ballydugan landlocked except for a gap between Downpatrick, 13 km (8 miles) away.
inexpensive–moderate Portaferry and Strangford known as In the town, follow signs for the Saint
Just outside Downpatrick, this 18th- the “Narrows”. The lough can be Patrick Centre and park opposite it.
century flour mill has been turned into accessed from either side. Arrange a
a small hotel, bistro and restaurant. canoe trip or take a boat tour around 7 Downpatrick
Drumcullen Road, Ballydugan,
BT30 8HZ; 028 4461 3654; its waters from Portaferry (see left). Co Down
www.ballyduganmill.com ª From Strangford, take the A25 St Patrick (c.AD 390–461), Ireland’s
towards Downpatrick for 2 km patron saint, landed in Strangford
NEWCASTLE (1 mile). At the crossroads there is a Lough in around AD 428. He is
Harbour House inexpensive sign for the entrance to Castle Ward strongly linked with Downpatrick.
Bright, simply furnished rooms in this
welcoming guesthouse south of town, pointing to the right. The Saint Patrick Centre (open
which also has a decent restaurant.
4 South Promenade, BT33 0EX;
028 4372 3445;
www.harbourhousenewcastle.com
Slieve Donard Resort & Spa
expensive
Built as a luxury Victorian hotel and still
oozing class in its unrivalled setting.
Downs Road, BT33 OAH; 028 4372
1066; www.hastingshotels.com
AROUND NEWCASTLE
Burrendale Hotel moderate
A relaxed hotel and country club on
the A50 just outside Newcastle, with a
cosy bar, two restaurants and pool.
51 Castlewellan Road, BT33 OJY;
028 4372 2599; www.burrendale.com Above The Neo-Classical front of Castle Ward, which gives no clue to its Neo-Gothic rear
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under £100; moderate, £100–£200; expensive, over £200

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